Yellowcraig

Yellowcraig lies on the coast approximately three kilometres west of North Berwick. For many visitors, it is the sheltered sandy bay and the views across to the island of Fidra that attract them to this site.

However, Yellowcraig comprises a variety of habitats, including mature and developing woodland, sand dunes, coastal grassland and rocky outcrops, as well as its long sweeping sandy beach. It is of great interest to ornithologists, botanists and geologists and not just those visitors seeking to 'get away from it all'.

Yellowcraig has an association with Robert Louis Stevenson, who used to wander up and down this section of the coast while on holiday in North Berwick. In Treasure Island, the island, when seen from 'Spy-Glass Hill', is described as having an arch that can be seen right through - a perfect description of Fidra as seen from the Yellowcraig itself!

Visitor Information

• Yellowcraig is situated 3km west of North Berwick near the village of Dirleton. From Edinburgh, leave the A198 at the first turning signposted to Dirleton. Follow the road through the village, and take the left turn as you leave the village, which is signposted to Yellowcraig. The car park is at the end of this road, approximately 1km from Dirleton village. From North Berwick, take the first right turning signposted to Dirleton. Take the next right after 200m, which is signposted to Yellowcraig and continue on this road to the car park. 
  
  
• Buses from Edinburgh to North Berwick stop at Dirleton. For details contact Traveline on 0800 23 23 23
  
  
• There is a small car parking charge during the summer months.
  
  
• Seasonal toilet facilities are available on-site.
  
  
• There is a barbecue area at Yellowcraig, which can be booked for small groups by contacting the East Lothian Council Local Area Office at 2, Quality Street, North Berwick. Tel: (01620) 893957.

Natural History
Yellowcraig is a good place to explore rock pools. The rocks on either side of the sandy bay are rich in invertebrate life, but you need to look hard to spot it! Turning over some of the larger stones on the lower part of the rocky shore may reveal shore crabs hiding out until the tide comes in.

Always remember to turn the stones back when you have finished looking.

Fish such as butterfish and blennies also hide at low tide; they are able to survive for some time out of water, covered in a mucous layer that prevents them drying out. They also lack scales, which would easily be damaged if rubbed on the rocks. Shrimps hide out among the fronds of brown seaweed such as bladder wrack, so called because of the paired air bladders located on its fronds. If you stand still for long enough, you will start to see small shells moving rapidly over the rock pool floor. These are hermit crabs occupying the empty shells of periwinkles. They live in these shells for protection, being unable to grow their own shells like other crabs. When the shell becomes too small, they must search out another one.

The sheltered coastline is a good place for sea birds. Look out for eiders, particularly in the summer, when females often come together, their young forming large rafts behind them. Puffins nest on Fidra in old rabbit burrows, and can sometimes be seen fishing offshore. Gannets from the Bass Rock are also a common site in the summer, diving for fish, often surprisingly close to the shore.